Rice and Saka injuries ‘don’t look good’ – Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that injuries to England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice “don’t look good” after they were taken off injured during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Rice, who was playing with a broken toe, was withdrawn in the 71st minute before Saka was taken off after receiving treatment on a leg injury 10 minutes later.

“It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, it’s not good news.” said Arteta.

Arsenal have had to deal with a number of injuries to key players this season and Saka also missed two games after picking up an injury playing for England in the last international break.

Both Saka and Rice are in interim head coach Lee Carsley’s England squad for next week’s Nations League games. England play away in Greece on Thursday, 14 November before hosting the Republic of Ireland three days later at Wembley.

But Arteta is unsure if the pair will be able to join up with the national side.

“I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit because if not they don’t come off,” he said.

“What I’m praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit, because it’s been a nightmare for eight weeks.”

Martin Odegaard started his first match for two months for Arsenal and played the whole match. Arteta said he will speak to his captain about a potential international call-up for Norway.

Arsenal go into the international break nine points off the top of the Premier League table and are without a win in five matches in all competitions.